Installation for storing objects, especially boats

ABSTRACT

In an installation for the storage of objects, in particular for boats (8), numerous cells (1) are arranged next to and/or above each other for the accommodation of an object, in particular of a boat (8).

The invention relates to installations for the storage of objects, inparticular for boats. Installations for the storage of boats are knownfrom documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,214 and DE 39 37 097 A1. However, thepresent invention shows significant advantages in comparison to theinventions described in the above mentioned documents, these advantagesare described in the following description; especially the movablestorage elements.

Such installations serve for example for the storage of boats, such assailing yachts, motor boats or similar. For example in autumn the boatis removed from the water with a trailer and is transported into a hallor a similar place of storage and left there for storage over thewinter. In such halls or places of storage, the boats can be maintained,repaired and refurbished.

The disadvantage of this practice is that the trailer with which theboats are transported and stored takes up very much space in the hall.For this reason, it is common practice today for yachts when beingstored in halls to be taken from their trailer, placed on their keelsand to be supported using lateral supports in order to accommodate themaximum number of boats in the hall.

Boat builders and boat wharves in particular have major problems withstorage space as they are often located close to the water. They havefar too little space, for example, when the boats are removed from thewater over winter and are stored to be able to easily carry out repairs.It is also disadvantageous that if work is carried out in the boatstorage halls, then the other yachts become significantly dirty. Forthis reason, they must be specially covered.

The present invention is based on the problem of solving the abovementioned disadvantages and on creating an installation with whichnumerous boats, but also other objects can be stored quickly, and mostimportantly, requiring little space. Easy access to the stored boats orthe stored objects should be possible.

This problem is solved by arranging numerous cells in a honeycombfashion next to and/or above each other.

The present invention permits numerous boats to be stored preferably inhexagonal cells which are stacked in a honeycomb fashion next to andabove each other. The individual cells are hereby formed in any desiredlength, such that when necessary, two boats can be inserted into thetubular cells using the appropriate storage trolleys. Also anarrangement of the cells in many levels of the individual cells stackedupon each other is desirable.

In the individual cells, storage trolleys are mounted which are fittedwith slots and guide rails, into which the storage trolleys can bedriven. These storage trolleys serve the support and easy handling ofobjects, in particular boats.

In order to support the boat in position, lateral brackets with armsconnected to them are mounted on to a base plate on the storage trolley,which support the boat using so called adjustable supports. Thesesupports are held by adjustable struts, so that an exact positioning ofthe supports on the hull of the boat is possible. To ensure that thesurface of the hull is not damaged, padded blocks are provided on theends of the supports that support the boat. In the case of a sailingyacht, the keel stands preferably on the base plate of the storagetrolley, so that most of the weight, respectively the centre of gravityis carried by the base plate. In order to accommodate the mast and theboom on the storage trolley, mounting blocks or similar are provided ifnecessary.

To extract a boat out of such a cell, an appropriate lifting device isprovided which is fitted with a lift suitable for receiving the storagetrolley. This lifting device is raised to the height of the cell so thatthe storage trolley complete with the boat can be driven onto thelifting device, which then transports the storage trolley and the boatto the working area. Here, it is also conceivable that a crane lift theboat on the storage trolley from the lifting device onto a trailer.

That the individual cells can be locked up using locking mechanisms,gates, or similar items, which are not shown in the drawings, also lieswithin the scope of the present invention. In addition to this, lyingwithin the scope of the present invention is that different arrangementsof cells beside each other and above each other, which form a unit or ahall, are possible, whereby it is particularly advantageous if a singlelifting device can be driven along a driveway and that on both sides ofthe lifting device cells are arranged so that a large number of boatsand other objects can be stored.

Other polygon cell cross sections lie also within the scope of thepresent invention for the storage, for example, of boats or otherobjects. It is however to be especially emphasised that the presentpreferred hexagonal structure has proved to be the only static selfsupporting structure.

With the present invention an installation has been created which makesit possible to store a large number of boats within a very limitedspace. Besides this, every boat or every cell respectively is easily andquickly accessible, so that also in the case of repairs or maintenanceevery boat can be removed from its cell for this purpose. Should, forexample, all the boats be in the water, then other objects can be storedin the cells.

Further advantages, characteristics and details of the invention can begathered from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention as well as on the basis of the drawings which show in

FIG. 1 a front view of the installation according to the invention forthe storage of objects, especially boats;

FIG. 2 an enlarged view of a single cell of the installation accordingto FIG. 1, complete with contents;

FIG. 3 a view of a further embodiment of the cell according to FIG. 2without contents;

FIG. 4 a schematic view of the lifting device

FIG. 5 a further embodiment of the lifting device according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a schematic side view of a possible arrangement of cells andlifting devices;

FIG. 7 a view of a possible arrangement of cells and lifting devicesaccording to FIG. 6.

According to FIG. 1, the installation R according to the invention forthe storage of objects, in particular boats, shows numerous cells 1.These cells 1 are preferably formed as hexagons and are arranged next toand above each other as shown, so that a honeycomb structure is formed.Here, if necessary, stabilising blocks 3, which are firmly attached tothe ground 2, are arranged next to each other, whereby between twostabilising blocks 3 a cell 1 is placed as shown.

Each single honeycomb formed cell 1 is provided with a triangular baseelement 4 from which walls 5.1, 5.2 rise vertically on which asymmetrical to the base element 4 triangular roof element 6 connects.The individual cells 1 are in the longitudinal direction tubular in formwhereby, if necessary the back wall is closed in order to achieve agreater torsional stiffness.

As shown in FIG. 1, the individual cells 1 are arranged in severallayers E1 to E5 above each other, each layer being shifted in respect toit's neighbour. Due to the honeycomb arrangement of the individual cells1 the installation R attains a very high stability in order to supporthigh loads. Finally, the installation R can be covered by a hall roof 7.

It is ensured due to this special arrangement that a large number ofobjects, especially boats 8, can be stored in the individual cells 1 inthe smallest possible space.

According to FIG. 2, a beam 9 is placed approximately in the middle ofthe triangular section of the base element 4. This beam 9 displays guideslots 10.1, 10.2, which preferably extend over the entire length of thecell. The beam 9 is preferably firmly attached to the base element 4.

Further to this, in the corner regions 11.1, 11.2 between base element 4and wall 5.1 and base element 4 and wall 5.2 respectively guide rails12.1, 12.2 are placed which extend over the entire length of the cell 1.Here the guide rails 12.1, 12.2 extend over the corner regions 11.1,11.2 which join the sides 13.1, 13.2 of the base element 4 with thewalls 5.1, 5.2.

A storage trolley 14 according to the invention is applied in the cell 1in a insertable and extractable manner.

The storage trolley 14 displays a base plate 15 on which the keel 16 ofthe boat 8 is supported. Beneath the base plate 15 transport rollers17.1, 17.2 spaced at a certain distance apart are provided which fit inthe guide slots 10.1, 10.2 of the beam 9. The storage trolley 14 isguided in the guide slots 10.1, 10.2.

Parallel lateral brackets 18.1, 18.2 extend from the base plate 15running appropriately to suit the sides 13.1, 13.2 until they reach thecorner regions 11.1, 11.2 and then they are bent upwards and runparallel to the walls 15.1, 15.2 as short arms 19.1, 19.2.

The lateral brackets 18.1, 18.2 and the arms 19.1, 19.2 are providedwith rotary rollers 20 in the corner regions 11.1, 11.2 which faceoutwards. These rollers 20 support the storage trolley 14 against theguide rails 12.1, 12.2. In this manner an exact positioning and guidingis achieved in order to insert or extract the storage trolley 14 into orout of the cell 1.

To secure the boat 8 in the storage trolley 14 from tipping over it ispreferred that the adjustable supports 21.1, 21.2 be mounted to the arms19.1, 19.2 forming an articulated joint. On the opposite ends of theadjustable supports 21.1, 21.2 blocks 22.1, 22.2, which support the hullof the boat, are mounted forming articulated joints.

The supports 21.1, 21.2 formed, especially in the case of sailingyachts, to suit the form of the hull and the appropriate length of thekeel 16. In addition, the supports 21.1, 21.2 provided with adjustablestruts 23.1, 23.2 which are connected to the lateral brackets 18.1, 18.2at articulated joints. Therefore, the position of the supports 21.1,21.2 can be appropriately adapted to accommodate, for example, verynarrow or very wide hulls of boats. The supports 21.1, 21.2 and also thestruts 23.1, 23.2 can hereby be adjusted mechanically, or alsopneumatically, hydraulically or electrically.

Preferably the base plate 15 is approximately as long as the cell 1 oras long as the hull of the boat whereby at the front end of the baseplate in the bow region of the boat, which is not shown on the drawings,appropriately formed lateral brackets are provided in similar fashion tothe stern region of the boat. Therefore the hull of the boat 8 issupported by at least four supports. This type of storage is alsosuitable for motor boats, whereby it is also planed in this instance toadapt the supports 21.1, 21.2 to suit the hull and if necessary to makethem lower. For this reason, the supports 21.1, 21.2 and the struts23.1, 23.2, which are mounted on the arms 19.1, 19.2 or the lateralbrackets 18.1, 18.2 respectively, can be fitted at different positions.

Mounting blocks 24 are arranged, in particular for sailing yachts, onthe storage trolley 14 onto which, for example, a mast 25 or a boom 26can be laid down.

A further embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 3 showsthe storage trolley 14 as displayed in FIG. 2 without supports 21.1,21.2 and struts 23.1, 23.2. On the other hand, a pallet 27 is placedbetween the arms 19.1, 19.2 on which different types of objects can belaid down.

This is in particular the case when, for example, the boats are in thewater and the cells 1 can be used as storage for common types of goods.

In order to be able to extract the storage trolley 14 for theaccommodation of a boat from the cell 1 in one of the levels, E1 to E5,a lifting device 28, which is shown in FIG. 4 and 5, must be insertedinto the cell 1 to lift up the storage trolley 14. The lifting device 28displays neighbouring guide columns 29.1, 29.2 which are connected toeach other and serve to accommodate a lift 30 which is provided betweenthem.

The lift 30 is adjustable in it's height along the guide columns 29.1,29.2 as indicated by the double arrows X. The lift 30 is provided with abeam 9.1, which matches the beam 9 of the cell 1, as well as beingprovided with sides 13.1', 13.2' and the guide rails 12.1', 12.2', whichare identical to the corresponding elements in the cell 1. For thisreason, a transfer of the storage trolley 14 from the cell 1 to the lift30 is achievable without difficulties.

Further, the lifting device 28 can be driven backwards and forwardsalong a rail system 31, which runs on the floor 2. Consequently, everypossible cell 1 can be accessed. The lift 30 is then driven to a pointopposite the base element 4 of the cell 1 and subsequently, the storagetrolley 14 is driven out of the cell 1 onto the lift 30 of the liftingdevice. Also in reverse if necessary, a loaded storage trolley 14 can bedriven into a cell 1. In order to prevent the lifting device 28 fromtipping over in such situations, due to instability, several guidecolumns can be arranged behind each other.

FIG. 5 shows another lifting device 28.1 with only one guide column 29.1on which the lift 30 can be driven. This is adequate for lighter boats8.

FIG. 6 shows an installation with cells arranged above each other whichare arranged on both sides of the lifting device driveway 32. Using thelift 30, whose height can be adjusted, the individual cells 1 can beloaded or unloaded. In order to protect the individual cells from theweather, the cells can be covered by the side walls 33, 34 and the roof7.

As shown in FIG. 7, the individual cells 1 grouped together in regionson both sides of the lifting device driveway 32 whereby it is alsointended that additional working areas 36, 37, are provided in order torepair or maintain boats or other objects.

An especially effective embodiment of the invention is given when forexample the lifting device runs directly into the water and a boat rampis provided in order to transport boats directly out of the water intothe individual cells.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for the storage of boats (8) in individual cells(1) with hexagonal cross section and vertical symmetry comprising aplurality of cells (1), which stand vertically on one of their hexagonalcorners adjacent to each other and, on vertical orientation, shifted inrespect to each other, and joined together to form a honeycomb racksystem without spaces between the cells and is operated in the fashionof a high rack warehouse with several rack layers, wherein selectedhexagonal cells (1) are provided with at least one separate storageelement in the form of a storage trolley (14) which is adapted to thehexagonal geometry which accommodates the boats and can, by means of arack service system, be moved out of the cell (1) and back in again, inthat the storage trolley (14) is movably mounted on a beam (9) which inturn is mounted in the base element (4), a base plate (15) of thestorage trolley (14) is allocated transport rollers (17.1, 17.2), whichrun in guide slots (10.1, 10.2) of the beam (9).
 2. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 further comprising lateral brackets (18.1, 18.2) from whicharms (19.1, 19.2) protrude and are connected to the base plate (15). 3.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage trolley (14) furthercomprises supports (21.1, 21.2).
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3wherein the supports (21.1, 21.2) are adjustable in length, and whereonthe supports (21.1, 21.2) are connected to the arms (19.1, 19.2) of thestorage trolley (14) at articulated joints and are adjustable in theirposition using struts (23.1, 23.2) which are adjustable in their length.5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a guide rail (12.1,12.2) in at least one corner region (11.1, 11.2) between sides (13.1,13.2) and walls (5.1, 5.2) of the cell (1).
 6. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising on the storage trolley (14) at least onemounting block (24) to accommodate at least one mast (25) or boom (26).7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage trolley (14) ismovable into and out of the cell (1) by manual and/or motorized means.8. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising triangularsupporting blocks (3) arranged next to each other on a floor (2) to forma base for a plurality of cells (1).
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8wherein between each neighbouring supporting block (3), at least onecell (1) at a level (E1) is disposed.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein any cell (1) in any layer (E1 to E5) can be reached by means ofa lift (30) which is allocated to a lifting device (28).
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10 wherein the lifting device (28) is provided withat least one guide column (29.1, 29.2), whereby the lift (30) isarranged on the guide columns (29.1, 29.2) in such a manner that theheight of the lift (30) can be adjusted.
 12. Apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein the inner contour of the lift (30) is formed to suitthe base element (4) of the cell (1) in order to receive the storagetrolley (14).
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein on both sidesof the lifting device (28) a plurality of cells are arranged, wherebythe lifting device (28) is transportable along a lifting device driveway(32) and the cells which are arranged on both sides adjacent to eachother are accessible using the lift (30) of the lifting device (28). 14.Apparatus according to claim 11 herein the storage trolley (14) isprovided with at least one palette (27) for the accommodation ofobjects.